- London Plumbers 24/7
- 16-09-2026
Heat pumps continue to be one of the biggest developments in home heating across London, Surrey and the rest of the UK. During 2026, grant support has increased for some households, more types of heat pump have become eligible for financial assistance, and demand for new installations has continued to grow.
For homeowners and businesses considering a heat pump, there are also plenty of practical questions: How much grant is available? Will a heat pump work with existing radiators? Can it provide hot water? Does it work during winter? And what happens if an existing heat pump breaks down?
London Plumbers 24/7 provides heat pump installation, replacement, servicing, maintenance and repairs throughout London and Surrey, covering a wide range of heat pump systems and associated heating and hot-water equipment.
What Is the Latest Heat Pump News for 2026?
One of the biggest developments this year has been increased financial support for certain properties switching from oil or LPG heating.
Eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG with a qualifying air-to-water or ground source heat pump can currently receive a £9,000 grant. The enhanced amount is scheduled to remain available until 31 March 2027.
Standard support currently includes £7,500 towards qualifying air-to-water heat pumps and £7,500 towards ground source and eligible water source heat pumps.
Another major change is support for qualifying air-to-air heat pumps, with a grant of £2,500 now available under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
Demand has also increased sharply. In July 2026, Boiler Upgrade Scheme applications reached 8,150 in a single month, an increase of 81% compared with June and 112% compared with July 2025.
For homeowners, the message is clear: heat pumps are becoming an increasingly mainstream heating option rather than a specialist alternative.
What Heat Pump Grants Are Available in 2026?
Current Boiler Upgrade Scheme support includes:
- £7,500 towards an eligible air-to-water heat pump
- £7,500 towards an eligible ground source or water source heat pump
- £2,500 towards an eligible air-to-air heat pump
- £9,000 towards qualifying air-to-water or ground source systems at eligible off-gas-grid properties replacing oil or LPG heating
The £9,000 enhanced grant is currently due to run until 31 March 2027.
Grant eligibility depends on the property, the existing heating system and the type of heat pump being installed. Grant-funded installations also have to meet the relevant scheme and certification requirements.
Is There Still 0% VAT on Heat Pumps?
Yes. Qualifying residential heat pump installations currently benefit from 0% VAT, with the temporary zero rate scheduled to continue until 31 March 2027.
For an eligible installation, the combination of a heat pump grant and 0% VAT can significantly reduce the upfront cost.
Are There Additional Heat Pump Grants in Surrey?
Some Surrey households may also qualify for assistance through the Warm Homes: Local Grant.
The programme is intended to help eligible lower-income households improve the energy efficiency of their homes and can include measures such as insulation and air source heat pumps.
The Surrey programme is currently expected to operate until 31 March 2028.
Eligibility depends on factors including household circumstances, property energy efficiency and available funding.
Have the Planning Rules for Heat Pumps Changed?
Yes. Planning rules for air source heat pumps in England have been relaxed in recent years.
The previous general requirement for a heat pump to be positioned at least one metre from a property boundary has been removed for qualifying installations.
The permitted size of an outdoor heat pump unit for a house has also increased, and detached houses may be able to install two qualifying heat pumps under permitted-development rules.
Air source systems capable of both heating and cooling can also qualify in appropriate circumstances.
Planning restrictions can still apply, particularly to listed buildings, conservation areas, flats and installations that do not meet permitted-development requirements.
What Types of Heat Pumps Can London Plumbers 24/7 Help With?
London Plumbers 24/7 provides installation, maintenance, fault finding and repair services for heat pump heating systems throughout London and Surrey.
This can include air source heat pumps, air-to-water heat pumps, air-to-air systems, ground source systems, water source systems and associated heating equipment.
We can also assist with radiators, underfloor heating, cylinders, pumps, valves, controls and the plumbing components connected to a heat pump installation.
What Is an Air Source Heat Pump?
An air source heat pump extracts heat from the outside air and transfers that energy into the property.
An air-to-water heat pump uses that energy to heat water for a wet central-heating system. It can supply radiators, underfloor heating and, when correctly designed, domestic hot water.
Air source heat pumps are widely used because they generally require less external space and installation work than ground source systems.
What Is an Air-to-Air Heat Pump?
An air-to-air heat pump takes heat from the outside air and delivers warm air directly into rooms through indoor units.
Many air-to-air systems can operate in reverse during warmer weather and provide cooling.
Unlike an air-to-water system, most air-to-air heat pumps do not directly supply a conventional radiator system or domestic hot-water cylinder, so hot water normally needs to be provided separately.
What Is a Ground Source Heat Pump?
A ground source heat pump collects heat stored naturally in the ground.
Pipework is installed underground, either through horizontal ground loops or boreholes, and the heat pump transfers the collected energy into the property's heating system.
Ground source heat pumps can be an excellent option for suitable properties, but installation is generally more involved than an air source system because sufficient land or access for drilling is required.
Will a Heat Pump Work During a Cold UK Winter?
Yes. Modern heat pumps are designed to continue extracting heat from outside air even when outdoor temperatures are low.
The important factor is correct system design.
A heat pump needs to be properly sized for the property's heat loss and heating requirements. An undersized or poorly configured system may struggle to maintain comfortable temperatures efficiently.
Can a Heat Pump Use My Existing Radiators?
In many properties, yes.
However, heat pumps often operate with lower water temperatures than traditional gas or oil boilers. Some existing radiators may therefore need to be replaced with larger or higher-output models.
A property assessment can determine whether the existing radiators are suitable or whether individual radiators need upgrading.
Do I Need Underfloor Heating for a Heat Pump?
No.
Underfloor heating works particularly well with heat pumps because it can provide comfortable heating using relatively low water temperatures, but it is not essential.
A properly designed radiator system can also work effectively with a heat pump.
Can a Heat Pump Provide Hot Water?
Air-to-water and ground source heat pumps can provide domestic hot water when connected to an appropriate hot-water cylinder and correctly designed controls.
The setup differs from a traditional combination boiler, so cylinder size and household hot-water demand need to be considered when designing the system.
Can a Heat Pump Replace a Gas Boiler?
For many properties, yes.
A correctly designed heat pump system can provide the main source of space heating and hot water, removing the need for a conventional gas boiler.
Whether this is appropriate depends on the property, insulation, heat loss, available installation space and existing heating system.
Can a Heat Pump Replace an Oil or LPG Boiler?
Yes, and this is particularly relevant in 2026 because qualifying off-gas-grid homes replacing oil or LPG may currently be eligible for the enhanced £9,000 heat pump grant.
This may be of particular interest to properties in rural and semi-rural parts of Surrey where mains gas is not available.
Do Heat Pumps Need Servicing?
Regular servicing is recommended to keep a heat pump operating correctly and efficiently.
A service can include checks of the heat pump itself and associated components such as circulation pumps, controls, valves, filters, system pressure, cylinders, radiators and underfloor heating.
Routine maintenance can also help identify developing faults before they result in a complete heating breakdown.
What Are Common Heat Pump Problems?
Like any heating system, heat pumps can occasionally develop faults.
Problems can include poor heating performance, loss of hot water, unusual noises, low system pressure, circulation faults, control problems, faulty pumps or valves, sensor faults and problems with associated heating equipment.
The cause should be properly diagnosed rather than simply replacing parts unnecessarily.
Can a Heat Pump Be Repaired?
Yes. Many heat pump problems can be repaired without replacing the complete system.
The appropriate repair depends on the fault and can involve heating controls, circulation equipment, valves, sensors, electrical components, pipework or other components within the heating system.
London Plumbers 24/7 provides heat pump fault finding and repair services across London and Surrey.
How Often Should a Heat Pump Be Serviced?
The manufacturer's maintenance schedule should always be followed.
For many systems, an annual inspection or service is sensible, particularly where the heat pump provides the property's main source of heating and hot water.
Regular servicing can help maintain performance, identify worn components and reduce the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns.
Should I Leave My Heat Pump Running All Day?
Heat pumps generally work differently from traditional boilers.
Instead of producing a short burst of very high-temperature heat, they tend to operate more efficiently by maintaining a steadier temperature for longer periods.
Constantly switching the system completely on and off may therefore not provide the most efficient operation.
The best settings depend on the property, system design, controls and occupants' heating requirements.
Are Heat Pumps Expensive to Run?
There is no single answer because running costs depend on several factors.
These include the efficiency of the heat pump, electricity tariff, property insulation, outside temperature, heating demand, system design and the heating system being replaced.
A well-designed heat pump in a suitable property can be highly efficient, but installation quality and correct setup are extremely important.
Are Heat Pumps Noisy?
Modern heat pumps are designed to keep operating noise relatively low, but the outdoor unit does contain a fan and compressor.
Correct positioning is therefore important, particularly in densely populated parts of London where neighbouring properties may be close together.
Noise should be considered as part of the installation design rather than after the heat pump has been fitted.
Can Heat Pumps Cool a Property as Well as Heat It?
Some heat pump systems can provide both heating and cooling.
Air-to-air heat pumps commonly offer both functions, making them attractive for properties that need winter heating and summer cooling.
Certain other systems may also offer cooling depending on their design and installation.
Is a Heat Pump Suitable for an Older Property?
Potentially, yes.
An older property does not automatically rule out a heat pump, but heat loss and insulation need to be considered carefully.
Some homes may benefit from insulation improvements, radiator upgrades or heating-system modifications before or alongside the heat pump installation.
The system should be designed around the property rather than assuming that one heat pump setup suits every home.
Can Heat Pumps Be Installed in Flats?
Heat pumps can be suitable for some flats, but available outdoor space, permissions, noise, building layout and hot-water arrangements all need to be considered.
The introduction of support for qualifying air-to-air heat pumps has also created another potential option for smaller homes and flats without conventional wet central heating.
How Long Does a Heat Pump Installation Take?
Installation time depends on the type of heat pump and the amount of work required.
A straightforward air source installation may be considerably quicker than a ground source system involving excavation or boreholes.
Additional work such as radiator replacement, cylinder installation, electrical work, pipework alterations or underfloor heating will also affect the installation time.
Should I Repair or Replace an Existing Heat Pump?
This depends on the age and condition of the equipment, the nature of the fault and the cost of repair.
A relatively modern system with a replaceable faulty component may be worth repairing. An older heat pump suffering repeated breakdowns or declining performance may be more economical to replace.
A proper diagnosis allows the options to be considered before deciding on a complete replacement.
Heat Pump Installation and Repairs Across London & Surrey
With increased grant support and continued development of heat pump technology, more homes and businesses are considering low-carbon heating.
Whether you are looking at a new heat pump installation, replacing an existing system or need servicing or repairs, London Plumbers 24/7 provides heat pump and heating services throughout London and Surrey.
From the heat pump itself to radiators, cylinders, heating controls, pumps, valves and associated pipework, we can help keep the complete heating system operating correctly.
Contact London Plumbers 24/7 to discuss heat pump installation, servicing, maintenance or repairs in London and Surrey.